Ben Cousins phone calls indicate he has no intention of quitting drugs, a Perth court has heard.

BEN Cousins’ lawyer says he is ready for rehab after a month in prison but his phone calls indicate he has no intention of quitting drugs.

Staff writers, AAP

News Corp Australia NetworkMarch 21, 20179:03am

Ben Cousins’ phone calls indicate he has no intention of quitting drugs, a Perth court has heard. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

TROUBLED former AFL premiership player Ben Cousins is willing to go to rehab after spending a month in prison, but his phone calls indicate he has no intention of quitting drugs, a Perth court has heard.

The former West Coast Eagles captain had a full beard and was wearing a T-shirt when he pleaded guilty in Armadale Magistrates Court on Monday to 11 offences, including aggravated stalking, drug possession.

The 38-year-old’s lawyer Michael Tudori said a rare opportunity had come up for a spot in a residential rehab program, but the police prosecutor said they were seeking a prison sentence.

The court heard Cousins’ phone calls were tapped in prison and he told his father he did not want to quit.

Ben Cousins’ phone calls indicate he has no intention of quitting drugs, a Perth court has heard. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

But Mr Tudori said those calls were made earlier in his prison stint and he no longer felt that way.

Mr Tudori said his client had a very long and entrenched drug addiction, and had previously been reluctant to address his problem. He said four weeks in prison had been sobering for Cousins and a rare opportunity had now come up for a spot in a residential rehab program, which he was willing to do.

“He’s ready and willing to enter a residential rehabilitation program,” he said.

If the Brownlow medallist enters the program, it will last at least six months.

The court heard Cousins’ phone calls were tapped in prison and in one conversation, he said he did not mind “dressing this up as a rehab”. Cousins told his father he could quit whenever he wanted.

“I have a bit of gear and it makes me feel normal,” he said.

“I’m not going to stop. I don’t want to stop.”

Mr Tudori said those calls were made earlier in his prison stint and he no longer felt that way.

Magistrate Stephen Wilson said the matter would be better dealt with in the drug court and said the psychological report could be passed on there. Cousins, who appeared frustrated as he buried his head in his arms, was remanded in custody to appear in Perth Magistrates Court next Monday.

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News Corp's Sarah Blake speaks to The TODAY Show about Former AFL Legend Ben Cousins' battle with drugs. Courtesy: The TODAY Show/Channel Nine